Are you prepared for floods?
Being Prepared
Homes and businesses can be protected from flooding. Preparing an emergency flood plan and DIY flood defences can reduce the damage caused by flooding. The building in the photo above has used a flood gate and air brick cover for protection.
The impact of floods can be reduced if people are prepared and take action to protect their homes and property.
Use the Environment Agency's Flood Map to find the likelihood of flooding in your area.
Flood Forecasting
The Met Office plays a vital role in supplying weather information to the Environment Agency so that flood warnings can be issued.
The Storm Tide Forecasting Service provides the Environment Agency and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency with their forecasts of coastal flooding, surge and wave activity.
Computer modelling of some rivers produces forecasts of river levels several hours in advance. Elsewhere warnings are issued based on river levels.
Flood Warning
People living in areas at risk of flooding can sign up for the Environment Agency's flood warning service. This service has been using the following flood warning symbols since November 2010. These have been designed to be easier to understand, provide more local information and indicate more clearly what action needs to be taken:
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A flood alert will indicate that flooding is possible and that people should make some preparations and remain vigilant. |
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A flood warning will indicate that flooding of homes and businesses is expected and people should act to reduce the impact of the flood. |
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A severe flood warning will be used in extreme circumstances to tell people that flooding poses a significant risk to life. |
Emergency Planning
From time to time the government carries out exercises to check on test planning for flood emergencies. Visit the Exercise Watermark website to find out about a national emergency flooding exercise led by Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government which will test arrangements across England and Wales to respond to severe, wide-area flooding.
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